SIG Sauer MPX Approved by RCMP as 5-Round ‘Restricted’ Carbine

31 Mar 2017

2min read

SIG Sauer MPX approved for sale in Canada. Credit: SIG Sauer.

Sig Sauer Inc.’s MPX firearm chambered in 9 mm is now available to Canadian shooters after the RCMP classified it as a “Restricted” carbine for use with a five-round magazine, the same as an AR-15. A “non-restricted” model may come later.

The MPX sells for $2,495 at Wolverine Supplies with delivery expected in June or July, the Manitoban retailer said today on CanadianGunNutz. The challenger to semi-automatic versions of Heckler & Koch’s industry-leading MP5 is equipped with a stock that can be folded or removed, and can be ordered with either an 8-inch or 16-inch barrel.

SIG said its MPX look-alike pellet gun will also be classified as “Restricted” in Canada.

The country labels guns as “Non-restricted,” “Restricted” or “Prohibited,” with different laws and rules to purchase, own, store, transport and use guns in each class. Regulations on magazine capacity can differ on guns with the same label.

5-Round Mag

Standard mags for the MPX hold 10, 20 or 30 cartridges, and SIG is working with the manufacturer, Lancer Systems LP, to design a version that complies with Canada’s 5-round limit for this category of gun.

“We’ll figure out a magazine within the next couple weeks,” Dave Jones, director of Canadian sales at SIG Sauer, said by telephone today. “I’m working directly with Lancer to come up with a solution. Right now we only make 10-, 20- and 30-round magazines.”

Firearms require a classification by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police before they can be sold legally, and you need a police-issued licence to legally buy or own firearms or ammunition.

‘Non-restricted’ Version?

The RCMP assigned the “Restricted” label on the MPX this week, almost a year and a half after M.D. Charlton Co., a distributor for SIG Sauer in Canada, submitted it, said James Wallace, director of dealer sales for M.D. Charlton. Depending on demand, he plans to place an initial order for about 100 MPXs with New Hampshire-based SIG.

“The RCMP has made it clear that, because the magazines will work for both a pistol and a carbine, that they’re limited to 5 rounds,” Wallace said. “Whether it’ll be a 10-round or a 30-round configuration blocked to 5 rounds, we haven’t quite determined that yet, but it will be a 5-round magazine regardless.”

Regarding the MPX, “A non-restricted version is possible in the future but only in the planning stages at this stage of the game,” M.D. Charlton said on CanadianGunNutz.

‘Restricted’ MPX Airgun

SIG Sauer also submitted airguns to the RCMP for classification, including models that look like the MPX, as well as the MCX rifle and P226, P320 and 1911 pistols, Jones said.

“The MPX airgun is going to be classified a ‘Restricted’ weapon,” Jones said. “It’s doubtful there’s going to be a lot of sales of that in Canada, because who’s going to buy a ‘Restricted’ pellet gun when they can just buy a ‘Restricted’ real gun.”